Be sure to read the previous chapters for more information on prizes and how the Quest works!
Sign-Ups
Chapter I
Chapter II

Something is wrong. Someone is missing.

In the dining hall, a chair sits empty. The Archmage looks pensive. The butler is straight-faced, but the skin is tight around his eyes. The Dowager Countess is frowning ever so slightly where she sits stiffly in her seat.

In the servants’ quarters, whispers rush about like wildfire. The mood is terse among the maids, and it only grows harsher when the footman ducks down to share the news of the missing guest.

Dinner among the guests is somber, discomfort growing the longer the seat remains empty without comment from Archmage Eidolus. As the meal draws to a close and the dishes are cleared away, he finally rises to his feat. Instead of inviting his guests to the drawing room however, he asks for their attention.

“I’m afraid I must ask that you all return to your rooms for the evening,” he requests, tone neutral but firm. “Be assured I will explain myself in due time, but for now, know this. There are dangers that lurk around Cairnhart Castle, and though they rarely pose a threat to mages of our caliber, wisdom dictates caution nonetheless.”

Murmurs rumble beneath his words, but he raises a hand to calm those present.

“Suffice it to say that to roam alone in the dark, even within the walls of this castle, would be ill-advised.”

Unease is palpable, but the Archmage offers no other explanation. He simply gestures to the doors, inviting his guests to take their leave.

The housekeeper relays this same message to the staff in the kitchen over their own later meal. She impresses upon all of them the importance of remaining in their quarters throughout the night, regardless of what they might hear or see.

As night falls over the moor, the rumble of thunder shakes the sky. Lights linger in the windows of the castle, as if to banish whatever dangers lurk in the dark. The cautious hunker down in their beds, ready to wait out the stormy night. The curious - or foolish - linger, wondering at the mystery in the air.

Despite the pensive trepidation that blankets the castle, the hallways are not empty, the night is not still. Candle in hand, a hawthorn wand at the ready, the Archmage prowls through the chilly corridors of Cairnhart Castle. Hunting.

But is he alone?

Welcome back to the 2022 edition of my Epic Quest - Darkwater! 

Here’s how the Epic Quest works: I will host an activity each month that plays into the story being told. You’ll earn small prizes for each activity you complete - like points, HPD, or cash shop items. You’ll also earn XP points, and the player with the most XP points at the end of the year - December 2022 - will win the grand prize:
1. A fully coded tabbed layout from me featuring a graphic themed after this year’s quest and
2. Matching animal CSS and
3. A 1-year upgrade

The runner-up will receive:
1. A custom coding slot for simple layout (scrolls or expandables) and
2. A 6-month upgrade

Participate in the Epic Quest activity every month of the year, and you’ll earn a special prize:
1. An official HP achievement and
2. A store pair with 100k points

If you haven't joined yet but would like to, check out the sign-up thread to create your mage! You must have a mage created before you can participate in the activities.

If you have any questions about the quest, prizes, or how it works, don’t hesitate to message me!



Someone is missing! The castle is now on high alert, although no explanations have been made to either guests or the majority of staff. Archmage Eidolus is patrolling the hallways, intent on protecting those in his charge. He will check in on every room in Cairnhart, even the servants’ quarters, throughout the night to make sure everyone is safe and accounted for.

KNOCK KNOCK

At random times throughout the week, you will receive a “knock on your door” in the form of a message from one of my accounts. You must reply to this knock with your code word (the same one you chose for yourself when you created your character).

If you have not yet submitted an artifact/code word, you must do so before you can participate in this month's activity. If you've forgotten your code word, message me!

Once you’ve given your code word, you will receive a task. If the knock on your door comes from the Archmage, you must complete this task in order to earn your prizes and participation.

However, the Archmage is not the only thing wandering the halls of the castle. If the knock on your door 

A) does not immediately and explicitly ask for your code word OR 
B) does not give you a task once you’ve given your code word OR 
C) is listed in this thread by another player,

then it is not the Archmage! In order to stay safe and earn your prizes, you must alert the others of the imposter by replying to this thread - even if the same account has already been posted by another player. You must give the account number and list it as an imposter. Be on your guard and don't trust your senses; this imposter is capable of many tricks!

If you fail to notice and/or post the imposter's ID by the time the event ends, you will not receive your prizes! However, you will still get your participation as long as you reply to the message before the deadline.

You may be visited more than once by either the Archmage, the imposter, or both, so stay on your toes!

PRIZES:
Completing the task given by the Archmage OR posting an imposter account ID: 5 XP and 10k points on an animal* **
BONUS: Message me your guess as to who the imposter is for a chance to earn 2 XP points. You can ask for a hint at the cost of 1 XP.

This event ends at 11:59 pm HP time on Tuesday, May 3rd.

*Mascots can only receive these points once. Coordinate with your teammates!
**Animal points are only earned by each player once. XP points will stack per successful "visit."

Good luck and stay safe through the night...

The Host

Archmage Eidolus Buchanan - NPC
?, Archmage

The Detective

Malcolm MacLeod - NPC
?, Detective

The Guests

Dowager Countess Magnolia Buchanan - NPC
Diviner, Eidolus Buchanan's mother

Celestine Bell - NPC
Evoker, American Acrobat

Elena - 30 XP
Conjurer, Battlemage

Eimear Fraser - 30 XP
Conjurer, Buchanan family's ward

Anya Ruzicka - 28 XP
Diviner, Russian Heiress

Acacia Weatherspoon - 28 XP
Diviner, National Hero

Pohta Doux - 27 XP
Evoker, Combat Expert

Willow - 27 XP
Diviner, Queen Victoria's Diviner

Ioetta Dawnreaver - 26 XP
Conjurer, Military Officer

Lili Findlay - 26 XP
Evoker, Eidolus Buchanan's younger sister

Jem Marion - 26 XP
Evoker, Polish Mage

Thea Deathwhisper - 25 XP
Necromancer, Archmage's apprentice

Ethniu Dagon - 22 XP
Evoker, Scholar of Medicine

Scarlett MacDonald - 21 XP
Diviner, Divination Scholar

Elsie Ridel - 20 XP
Necromancer, Friend of Celestine Bell

Meira Wolfsbane - 15 XP
Conjurer, Military Hero

Ainsley Greer - 15 XP
Conjurer, Distant cousin of Eidolus Buchanan

Lake Timberline - 14 XP
Evoker, French Liaison

Lady K - 10 XP
Conjurer, Globe Trotter

Elspeth Grey - 1 XP
Evoker, Family

Seph Reid - 1 XP
Necromancer, Philosopher

The Staff

Raleigh Whitlock - NPC
Evoker, Butler

Fiona Ferguson - 25 XP
Evoker, Cook

Evangeline Glen - 25 XP
Conjurer, Lady's Maid to Dowager Countess

LaleLa Lou - 21 XP
Evoker, Housekeeper

Elizabeth Odd - 10 XP
Evoker, Gardener

Vincent Myrddin Thorne - 0 XP
Necromancer, Footman

Oooh this one will take some critical thinking! Super excited to see how it unfolds! 

*rubs hands together* The plot thickens. So exciting!

Dun...dunnn....dunnnnn.....!!!!

I don't remember my code word at all. XD -dies-

If you forgot your code word, message me! I have everyone who sent me one saved!

Also, remember that the real Archmage will immedately ask for your code word and nothing else! Pay attention to the three warning signs:
1. Doesn't ask for code word
2. Doesn't give you a task
3. The account is posted here by another player

You may be visited more than once this week by either the Archmage, the imposter, or both, so stay on your toes!

IMPOSTER ALERT!!!

Beware of mango • labradors (#44271)!

It is NOT the Archmage!

Imposter !!!
(#44036)

Imposter alert!!! 

mango • spare 26 (#49171) !   

i feel a bit silly now that i didnt check here first for updated imposters lol 44036

i know bv already found this one

@Aoi, its fine. You're supposed to post your imposter account number regardless of whether someone else has already posted that same number already or not

I must be dumb because I have no idea what clues have even been given to make a guess as to who the true imposter is xD

Imposter alert!

#38456

I have a mango message that could be the imposter. wahh! what do we do?!

Mine came from #1802 herself!

kaer morhen • ssh by mango (#38456) is an imposter

A HINT

The Imposter was mentioned in the sign up thread and Chapter I, but is nowhere to be found in Chapter II.

Imposter #44036

I have the real imposter now! before it was fake! kaer morhen • ssh by mango (#38456) I got my fake message at 12:45AM last night!

I M P O S T E R 

wow. not doing so hot in subsequent chapter departments and deadlines....and I was so determined to make a turn around this year...